Environment

Biodiversity

Xstrata's commitment to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity is set out in the Group Sustainable Development Standards. In addition, Xstrata has a management standard specifically governing biodiversity and land management, which sets out the Group's intention to develop and implement scientifically sound technologies and procedures for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity and rehabilitation of disturbed land to a planned post-closure use.

We are committed to designing a biodiversity offset program that compensates for the potential impact on the local, regional and global environment of the MRM operations.

Our proposal on biodiversity offsets was detailed within Section 21 of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted in August 2005.

In 2007, MRM made considerable progress in its commitment to establish a 'like-for-like' offset for the flora and fauna to be impacted by the open pit development.  

MRM is proposing to voluntarily establish a biodiversity offset on the lower McArthur River and in the adjacent area of the Glyde River, which has been assessed to be similar in habitat to the area around the mine. Field studies were conducted in 2007 to assess the biodiversity value of the area.

A technical document developed by consultants to provide guidance for the offset was approved in 2007 by relevant Territory and Federal agencies, and by Conservation International after an international peer review. MRM is continuing to work with the Northern Territory Government to formalise a methodology to establish and maintain the Biodiversity offset.

 

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